Emcees
* P.O.S. has released four albums under the Rhymesayers record label in conjunction with the Doomtree label. His first album, Ipecac Neat, made its Rhymesayers debut in 2004. His next album Audition released in 2006. His third release, Never Better was released in February 2009. We Don't Even Live Here, his fourth album, came out October 2012.
P.O.S is the de facto leader of the group. He also performs with the punk rock group Building Better Bombs.
* Sims released his first full length album in July 2005, Lights Out Paris. He also released False Hopes 14 in 2009. In 2011, he released Bad Time Zoo to critical acclaim.
* Dessa released one of Doomtree's several False Hopes albums and often performs live with violinist Jessy Greene (who is featured on P.O.S's Audition). She is an accomplished spoken word poet. In January 2010, she released her first solo LP, A Badly Broken Code. 2011 brought Castor, The Twin, which was a re-imagining of many of the tracks from A Badly Broken Code, utilizing a live band.
* Mictlan has released Doomtree False Hopes albums Deity for hire and Deity for Re-hire. In 2008, Mike Mictlan and Lazerbeak released their album Hand Over Fist
* Cecil Otter released Hung Over-seas, a Doomtree False Hopes album in 2003. He was also a finalist in a national spoken word competition inspired by the 2004 presidential election. He released another album, simply titled Cecil Otter's False Hopes, in 2005. In 2006 Cecil Otter released his new full length album Rebel Yellow. He is also signed to Strange Famous Records.
Producers/DJs
* Paper Tiger has produced for Doomtree emcees and often spins records for Doomtree performances. He also provides graphic design for various flyers and other Doomtree visuals. He has released a solo album Made Like Us.
* MK Larada has produced many tracks for Doomtree emcees and is also Doomtree's resident artist. He has released an album Break In Two (Music For B People).
* Lazerbeak has produced many tracks for Doomtree emcees as well as several other Minneapolis hip-hop artists, including Toki Wright. He is also the guitarist of Minnesota indie band The Plastic Constellations. He has released his solo album Legend Recognize Legend
* Turbo Nemesis is the most common Doomtree DJ to spin at performances
http://www.doomtree.net
Flex
Doomtree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doomtree fuckers, Cecil Otter on the beat
We push the borders for quarters order catastrophe
Order we shot for the sons and daughter of anguished apathy
Who barely practice but smash in the back with a backbeat
Never hold back see if I could show that and the whole track is stacked against me (against me)
Exactly (reinvent that axel)
And I'm on my toes now
Ever since this crew got a bit heated we lit that match and we burnin the fire grows now
And I think that shows how hard (We can see how hard) The hard nail we wanted just a little piece of the comet
Saw it promise born it we come it don't know to stomach the plumet
When it comes (when it comes) tell that we want it til it's done
I weave a message in the pictures that I spit I leave em etched in
They leave a mess with the pen unless they only sketch around
So sittin nervous when the rent come they sweatin fold they checkin
We sittin certain work with the hand we got we double down
That's how we live it put the chips in the futurist conviction
If you would kick it to the movement stupid you're bound to drown
I throw my hands up in the static manic to cause some friction
Who's back with a battered pallate callous cuz he cracks the sound (lifestyle here)
From the middle of the continent
Get em cus its getting what you fit in so
I get my piece plus plus a puzzle pigeon hole
I be the chisel chipping up the brittle bone
I wanna be paid M.C. Berserker Banshee Tryin to eat, just livin
Runnin' on pills and gasoline
Writing all bills in magazines
Past fassion fast passion never really did [?] that much for me
(Touched to see you came out) glad to see all friends have made out
How's my life look from where you stood simply too true to be too good
We write like nothin, ah one two my check
We rock a D I Y ethic because the rest don't have a D I at all
We take the bottles on the roof no books at all
Last to break his ankles has to get mom (go get mom)
The doom crew consumes a pattern raw like
Your crew got lost in the applause
You got that broke hypnosis focus too long on straight lines
I got this broken flows exploding my crows rock steak knives
Gone with a suitcase and get a smooth face but rough around the edges
Same song but a new blank play for the group rates and nothin slows down
My mind my mic it's like my nine to five fly by grip
To the fist fit a wrist slip misfit grind by the blindside
Plead on them wide eyes
Pick em back up with the stigmata liquid that spits from the depths of my spine's pride
Take a tax on the ticket timid tipped to the brim
See cuz the deaf don't flip brim tip to the ceiling like whoa
Like a pistol pissed in honda
Mike'll mix that fist hit harder
See the punch out take the muck out [?]
Pissed off coppers we playin robbers
Standing up and rise through the sagas had enough?
Well... Yeah... That's enough
In "Flex" by Doomtree, the group uses impulsive, challenging lyrics and an intense beat to express their views on the state of rap music. The opening lyrics express their frustration with critics who profess to understand the genre's decline but in reality, know nothing about it. They then dive into the beat produced by Cecil Otter and use it to make a daring critique of the music industry. They reflect on the apathy of their generation and the challenge of fitting into genres, which aren't built for them. The group goes further by exploring possibilities beyond the status quo, playing with words and suggesting that there will always be room for growth and innovation as long as they keep pushing the boundaries.
On the other hand, the lyrics also contain powerful metaphors, from "sitting nervous when the rent comes," describing the anxiety that comes with being a young, struggling artist, to "throwing their hands up in the static manic to cause some friction," which reflects their desire to create disruptions and changes.
Line by Line Meaning
Doomtree fuckers, Cecil Otter on the beat
Starting the song and giving credit to the beatmaker
We push the borders for quarters order catastrophe
We're always exploring new sounds, even if it means taking risks that might lead to disaster
Order we shot for the sons and daughter of anguished apathy
We strive to create music that speaks to those who feel disconnected and disillusioned with the world
Who barely practice but smash in the back with a backbeat
Our music might sound effortless, but we put in hard work behind the scenes to perfect our craft
Never hold back see if I could show that and the whole track is stacked against me (against me)
Despite obstacles and setbacks, I refuse to hold back in my music and always give it my all
Exactly (reinvent that axel)
Affirming that we need to keep innovating and pushing boundaries
Alright got a pine for the good kids drink in the sink everything that flows now
We have a thirst for creating art that resonates with the youth and reflects their experiences
And I'm on my toes now
I'm always alert and ready for whatever challenges come my way
Ever since this crew got a bit heated we lit that match and we burnin the fire grows now
Since our crew started gaining more attention and success, we've been stoking the flames of our creativity and ambition
And I think that shows how hard (We can see how hard) The hard nail we wanted just a little piece of the comet
Our hard work is paying off and we're making a name for ourselves, but we still have bigger dreams and ambitions
Saw it promise born it we come it don't know to stomach the plumet
We'll keep striving towards our goals even if it leads to disappointment or failure
When it comes (when it comes) tell that we want it til it's done
We have a hunger and drive to succeed and won't stop until we've achieved our goals
I weave a message in the pictures that I spit I leave em etched in
My lyrics are more than just words - they're visual and artistic expressions of my message
They leave a mess with the pen unless they only sketch around
Many other rappers might not put as much effort into their lyrics and end up with shallow, meaningless words
So sittin nervous when the rent come they sweatin fold they checkin
Many up-and-coming artists struggle to balance their passion with the realities of making ends meet
We sittin certain work with the hand we got we double down
We're confident in our abilities and are willing to work hard with what we have to achieve our goals
That's how we live it put the chips in the futurist conviction
We invest in our future and believe in the power of our music to make a positive impact
If you would kick it to the movement stupid you're bound to drown
If you're not committed and passionate about making a difference, you'll soon be left behind
I throw my hands up in the static manic to cause some friction
I'm unafraid to stir up controversy and make bold artistic choices
Who's back with a battered pallate callous cuz he cracks the sound (lifestyle here)
I've been through ups and downs and have developed a thicker skin because of it, which helps me create raw and authentic music
From the middle of the continent
Representing the Midwest and heartland of America
Get em cus its getting what you fit in so
To succeed in the music industry, you need to adapt and find your place among the competition
I get my piece plus plus a puzzle pigeon hole
I carve out my own unique space in the industry, despite facing challenges and obstacles
I be the chisel chipping up the brittle bone
Through my music, I challenge and deconstruct societal norms that are outdated and harmful
I wanna be paid M.C. Berserker Banshee Tryin to eat, just livin
I want to make a living doing what I love and express myself fully through my art
Runnin' on pills and gasoline
Working long hours and pushing ourselves to the limit to create our music
Writing all bills in magazines
Looking to make a name for ourselves beyond just the music - we want to be recognized as artists and creatives in general
Past fassion fast passion never really did [?] that much for me
We don't just chase after fleeting trends or fads - we're focused on creating art that lasts and makes a lasting impact
(Touched to see you came out) glad to see all friends have made out
Acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the support our fans and friends have given us
How's my life look from where you stood simply too true to be too good
While things might look good on the surface, there's always more going on behind the scenes and struggles to be faced
We write like nothin, ah one two my check
Our writing process might seem effortless, but it's a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into making our music
We rock a D I Y ethic because the rest don't have a D I at all
We believe in taking control of our own careers and creativity - we don't wait around for others to make opportunities for us
We take the bottles on the roof no books at all
We don't want to be tied down by education or other expectations - we want to create our own path and live in the moment
Last to break his ankles has to get mom (go get mom)
We're not afraid to take risks, even if it means facing consequences or getting in trouble
The doom crew consumes a pattern raw like
We create and consume art in a passionate and powerful way, breaking boundaries and conventions
Your crew got lost in the applause
Other artists might be more focused on fame and recognition than creating authentic and meaningful music
You got that broke hypnosis focus too long on straight lines
Other artists might be stuck in a rut and not willing to take risks or explore new sounds
I got this broken flows exploding my crows rock steak knives
We embrace our imperfections and differences, channeling them into our music in a powerful way
Gone with a suitcase and get a smooth face but rough around the edges
Despite our unconventional lifestyles and choices, we're still able to move through the world and chase our dreams
Same song but a new blank play for the group rates and nothin slows down
While we might be playing the same game as other musicians, we're able to put our own unique spin on it and keep moving forward
My mind my mic it's like my nine to five fly by grip
Music is more than just a hobby or passion for us - it's a way of life that we take seriously
To the fist fit a wrist slip misfit grind by the blindside
We might not fit in with traditional expectations or norms, but we're still able to create powerful music and challenge what's expected of us
Plead on them wide eyes
Our music speaks to those who feel lost or disconnected, and we hope to reach and connect with them
Pick em back up with the stigmata liquid that spits from the depths of my spine's pride
Our music has the power to uplift and inspire, even when times are tough or we're facing hardship
Take a tax on the ticket timid tipped to the brim
We don't shy away from taking risks or going all out - we're always pushing boundaries and challenging ourselves
See cuz the deaf don't flip brim tip to the ceiling like whoa
We're not afraid to be different and stand out from the crowd, even if it means we're not always understood
Like a pistol pissed in honda
We come out strong and powerful, ready to make a statement with our music
Mike'll mix that fist hit harder
We use our music as a tool for activism and change, with a powerful and meaningful impact
See the punch out take the muck out [?]
We're not afraid to create music that challenges authority or the status quo, speaking truth to power
Pissed off coppers we playin robbers
We're not afraid to clash with authority or take risks in our music or personal lives
Standing up and rise through the sagas had enough?
We're determined to keep pushing forward and achieving our goals, no matter what challenges we face or how tough things get
Well... Yeah... That's enough
Closing the song on a note of determination and power, we won't stop until we've achieved our dreams and ambitions
Writer(s): Dessa Margret Wander, Stefon Leron Alexander, Andrew William Sims, Kyle Craig Smith, Michael Thomas Marquez
Contributed by Kennedy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.